Game



y 3 H. E. GOODWIN 1,866,158

GAME

Filed Nov. 28, 1930 Patented July 5, 1932 HARLEY ErGOODWIN, F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT GAME Application filed November 28, 1930. Serial No. 498,715.

This invention comprehends certain new and useful improvements in games, and relates particularly to that class of game which has to do with the throwing or projecting "5, of a ball, and the catching or receiving of the same;

The primary object of the invention is to provide a game device of simple and novel construction, whereby a resilient net is used to project a ball, and the same net employed to catch or receive the ball, and novel means for holding the net in position so as to adroitly project and catch the ball, thus pro viding an interesting and useful game of skill.

A further object is to devise a game which may be generally played out of doors, engaging two or several players in healthful exercise, promoting quickness of eye and judgment of distance as well as general dexterity.

A further object is to provide a game in which the ball is volleyed forth and back between the players in some semblance to '2 the game of tennis, but without the use of the customary tennis-net and enclosed court,

and the score and penalties may be similar or of the players own devising. In general, and for example, the player A will, with out projecting the ball too wide or too high, strive to make B miss catching the ball in the net, and in that event B will be penalized a determined number of points which will accrue to A.

36 Another object of the invention is to provide a game which may be played without recourse to a special field, course or court, being adaptable to any fair-sized yard, lot or lawn, and without other equipment than the 40 net device itself and one or more balls pref erably of soft rubber.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully 46 described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the 50 scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention; j For a full'und'erstanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the followingdes'cription and accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combination of net and holder or frame, to which the net is attached, and the device is shown in position to be stretched backward in order to project a ball. Fig. 2 is likewise a pere0 spective view of a net in a substantially horizontal position, attached to asomewhat modified form of frame or holder, and Fig. 3 shows the net-in drooping or relaxed form suitable for catching or receiving a ball, the net being attached to a modified form of frame or holder. In general, the net isidentified by the numeral 7 and is formed of a plurality of resilient strands running generally lengthwise, these, particularly in Figures land 3 having association with-a series of. strands. running. circularly, which strands may, or maynot be of aresilient nature. The netis generally tapering, especially when ex- I tended or about to be extended, and is de- .75 signed -tobe open at its forward end, where it is attached to a rim portion of a frame or hold-er, this rim being designated by the nu meral 8.

The net tapers rearward to an apex and in so the various figures is shown as being attached to a cup-shaped terminal portion designed to hold 'a ball. However, it will be understood that the net itself may be so shaped as h to form an apex provided with suitable reinforcing means, and this terminal portion or apex is indicated by the numeral 9.

In Fig. 2 a form of net is shown having .a series of resilient strands running longig, tudinally andindicated bynum'erals10l1' 0 l21314 and 15, and these may be directly attached to the series of strands running circularly and forming anetwork "from the rim 8 to the apex 9, or may be ranged over or underneaththis network, as far as the pur pose of the device is concerned viz.,'to project and receive aball. I

As shown in Fig. 1,. the frame for holding the'nethas handle members 16, a grip 17 attached thereto, the handle members extend- 7 engaging band 21 at the ends of the handles.

1 associatedvwith the frame and including a In Fig. 3, a further handle modification is indicated in a generally vertical grip 22, branches 23 extending backward and having at their ends a member 24, to rest upon and engage the arm. Y

Having thus described the invention, what Iclaim and desire to protect by Letters Patent 1i A game device including a net adapted tocatch, aball, closed at one end and Open at the other end, a frame to which the forward endv ofthe net is connected, and handle'vmeans grip-adapted to'be grasped by ahand, and an arm engagingmember adapted to engage the arm. a c

I 2.. A game device; includinga net adapted to catcha ball, closed at one end and open. at the-other-end,.aifran1e to which the forward end of'the. net is connected, and-handle means.

associated with the; frame. and including a gripzadapted to'be grasped by a hand, and an; arm engaging: member adapted to engage the iarm,lsaid net having associated therewith resilient'means whereby the ball is propelled when the net is stretched and then released.

3,. Ina game devicerfor catching andithrowing-aiba'll, including a generally tapered-net having-ameans to which the open larger end of: the net. is connected, said means being provided with a hand grip, saidnet' being associated: with resilient" means which are extended when the net is pulled out, and which: propel the ball'when the net is released, and means on said device acting independently of" said grip and" arranged to bear against aisupport'to effect resistance-to force applied to said net to stretch it. 4'. A game device adapted to project and receive a ball, consisting of a generally tapered net entirely closed at one end and entirely open at the other end, the open end being attached toa frame having a handle means which has associated therewith a hand grip and anarm engaging member, said net having resilient strands extending generally in :the direction of the lengthof the net; I 5. A game device for projecting and receiving a:ball, consisting of a tapering net closed at one endand open and unobstructed at the other end, the open end being attached to a frame having a: handle means and an arm engaging member, the net being formed of resilient strands and intended to be pulled guizi and then released thereby projecting a device while same is held in position for projecting or catching aball.

7. A game device for throwing and receiving a ball, including a tapering resilient net, the larger end ofwhich is attached to a frame, and having at its smaller end an apex or pocket, for holdingaball, said frame having a-dependinghandle'means with which is connected a hand grip, and an arm engaging member, one modification; of this member beingafiexible band engaging the forearm to assist in holding the device steady while projecting or. receivinga ball.

HARLEY E. GOODWIN. 

